The Telegraph: While The Kremlin Fails, Zelensky Can Play His Trump Card
2- 27.12.2025, 9:34
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The situation is developing in favor of Ukraine.
It has been almost a year since US President Donald Trump told Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky that he had "no trump cards." Nevertheless, Ukraine's defenses held, and a 28-point peace plan that would have effectively led to Kiev's surrender was replaced by a 20-point strategic plan covering security guarantees and a plan to rebuild Ukraine.
According to Brussels correspondent The Telegraph Joe Barnes, Joe Barnes writes that Ukraine stands a good chance of securing more favorable terms in the peace deal. He noted that Zelensky will have to defend the updated peace plan, which Ukrainian and U.S. negotiators have prepared, at a meeting with Trump in Florida on December 28.
Main obstacles to peace
The piece emphasizes the fact that the updated peace plan has two glaring omissions: clear division of territories and control over the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant. Nevertheless, even on these issues there is progress.
Barnes noted that for several years neither Russia nor Ukraine have been ready to compromise on the most difficult issues. Now, however, the sides are getting closer to reaching agreement on some of those issues.
Recently, Zelensky conceded that withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the part of Donbass that Ukraine controls is possible, but only if Russia does the same. This would create a demilitarized zone in the region. Barnes emphasized that Moscow has rejected this proposal.
The piece also says that the future of the ZNPP remains in question. The U.S. had proposed joint management of the plant between Ukraine, Russia and Washington, but Zelensky said that doing joint business or commercial activities with Russia after a full-scale invasion and seizure of the plant is unacceptable.
Putin will have to make a choice
Barnes emphasized that despite disagreements on some issues, the likelihood of a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia is becoming more and more likely. He believes that concessions from Ukraine could lead to Trump increasing pressure on Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, causing the head of the Kremlin to have to make a choice - to continue the war and face the consequences or to compromise.
Nevertheless, Putin's recent statements do not suggest that he is ready to end the war against Ukraine, Barnes emphasized. He recalled that the Russian leader has previously said that he wants to seize all of Donbass, but Ukraine has made it clear that it is not willing to do so.
In addition, other Kremlin officials have repeatedly warned that they will not accept anything other than the original 28-point plan, which consists largely of concessions from Kiev.
The situation is shaping up in Ukraine's favor
Barnes noted that Russian forces have failed for the second year in a row to capture Pokrovsk and Kupyansk, which are important strongholds on the front line. Moreover, Ukraine dealt Moscow a humiliating blow when Zelensky appeared in Kupyansk days after Putin said the town was under Russian control.
The piece said the increasingly difficult economic situation, combined with the lack of progress on the frontline, remains the most realistic way for the West to pressure the Kremlin to end the war. Military fatigue is increasingly taking its toll on the Russian Federation, and the prospect of a quick and disadvantageous surrender through Washington is becoming even more remote for Ukraine.
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